ILOILO CITY — A high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Iloilo is facing charges for allegedly sexually exploiting a former female teenage rebel.
Joven Ceralvo has been charged of violating Republic Act (RA) No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act) and and RA No. 7610 (Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act).
Ceralvo, who is said to be the commander of the Suyak Platoon-NPA Southern Front Committee, is accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl.
The NPA rebels under Ceralvo’s command were temporarily camping in a mountainous barangay in Miag-ao when the incident happened.
The charges were filed before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office after the 16-year-old girl surrendered to the Philippine Army's 61st Infantry Battalion (61st IB) last month.
The girl known only as alias “Nene” told the military that other young female NPA rebels were also sexually abused and some even became pregnant.
The hierarchy of the 3rd Infantry Division (3rd ID) condemned the acts of Ceralvo and other male NPA rebels in Panay Island while lauding Nene for coming forward.
“I appreciate and admire the bravery of Nene in revealing her terrible experience and exposes the sad realities of joining the NPA organization. This revelation may damage her reputation as a woman, but it will serve as an eye-opener to all of the evil and inhumane acts of this NPA rebel,” said Major Gen. Eric Vinoya, 3rd ID commander.